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Brexit

What happens if I’m in the EU when we brexit?

38 replies

Trainsandsewingmachines · 28/03/2019 17:26

Originally we wouldn’t have been...but now we will.
We will be in France - we will fly out as EU citizens and return as third country nationals.

What will this mean - does anyone know?
I’m presuming getting out there will be fine and would think it will be easier getting back post brexit than going out? Because we would go through immigration in the UK as UK nationals which should be fine...
A bit worried about it though.

OP posts:
WhiskersOnCats · 28/03/2019 20:50

This would worry me. We would like to think that we'll all just plod along and nothing will be different. But simple things - Do you go through the EU or the NON-EU citizens passport control....... I have no idea. I suspect it will just be a lot of delays, but not nothing catastrophic.

cherin · 28/03/2019 21:03

We are in a similar situation, but we all have double or even triple citizenship. Misplanning on my side means that one child, the youngest, has only a valid U.K. passport right now. I think I’ll splash for an emergency EU ID card or passport, just to be on the safe side.
Op: I think it’s more important to have a private travel + medical insurance. A way back in will always be open, maybe with more checks and queues...

MumInBrussels · 29/03/2019 01:57

If you're going to be driving on holiday, I suggest you get the relevant international driving permit(s) for the country/countries you'll be driving in - there are 3, and they're not valid in the same places.

Get good travel insurance, including good medical cover, since for some of your trip you may not be able to use your EHIC and without medical cover would have to pay any emergency medical costs yourself.

Check everyone's passports have more than 6 months left before they expire. This is probably less of an issue in your particular case since you'll still be an EU citizen when you enter the EU, but it's advice the FCO has been emphasising recently, so prob worth doing anyway.

Don't panic about the actual travelling. It will probably take longer at airports and ports/Eurostar, so allow extra time, but you won't be stranded on holiday. The EU has passed contingency measures allowing travel to/from the UK to continue and you'll be going back to the UK, so there should be much less trouble if any - there's no risk of them saying you can't come in, if you have a British passport. (If you have an EU passport instead and just live in the UK, I'd ignore everything I just said and check with your country's embassy/consulate for advice...)

I don't think it's a stupid question to have asked at all. There's a lot of uncertainty around and talking to other people instead of searching on Google can be reassuring. (Obviously some people are less helpful than others, but don't let them get you down.) No one really knows what's going to happen over the next few weeks, but I'm sure everyone working on this in the background all acros the EU and the UK is doing their absolute best to put in place arrangements to make any changes that may be needed as smooth as possible. I hope you have a great, entirely trouble-free trip!

havingtochangeusernameagain · 29/03/2019 09:18

Exit day will be the 22nd of May with the deal, and the 12th of April without a deal

Or sometime in 2020...

YourOP · 29/03/2019 09:31

One of the ironies of the whole Brexit debate for me has always been how people complain about some nebulous “Brussels bureaucrats”. Being part of the EU makes everything so much simpler in every day life! Now we are faced with uncertainty and faff and extra costs and need for different driving licences and god knows what. And while I know that civil servants in both the UK and the other EU countries have been working on solutions to make the transition smoother it’s a lot of cost and energy spent to create whole new layers of bureaucracy.

Springwalk · 29/03/2019 09:38

WordsAndWorlds

Ferry service will run as normal

www.gov.uk/visit-europe-brexit

I am not sure you should travel anywhere if you haven't the ability to simply check on a government website and type in the word 'Ferry' into the search bar. No wonder you are so terrified of brexit if you need this much handholding for a simple google check Shock

Springwalk · 29/03/2019 09:39

WordsAndWorlds

Ferry service will run as normal

www.gov.uk/visit-europe-brexit

I am not sure you should travel anywhere if you haven't the ability to simply check on a government website and type in the word 'Ferry' into the search bar. No wonder you are so terrified of brexit if you need this much handholding for a simple google check shock

havingtochangeusernameagain · 29/03/2019 10:16

One of the ironies of the whole Brexit debate for me has always been how people complain about some nebulous “Brussels bureaucrats"

It will be interesting if we do get a long extension and therefore have to do the EP elections. Will the penny finally drop that we do in fact get to elect these "unelected bureaucrats".

WordsAndWorlds · 29/03/2019 14:55

Yes thank you @Springwalk , I'm fully aware that ferries will still be running. What it doesn't account for is the length of the delays to get on them and then a person's tolerance levels for that. We've been used to driving up, driving on with maximum 1 hour delay except in extreme weather. If there were to be for example, 5 hour tail backs, I would not find that acceptable with a 4 year old liable to flip his lid and a 9 hour drive on the other side.

That has zero to do with hand holding; the website makes clear to check for delays and that they really have no idea yet what these may be. Other sources at the ports have suggested potentially lengthy.

PS) best not to leave the country ever if you can't manage common civility either - would hate for you to be the representative of what Brits are like.

havingtochangeusernameagain · 29/03/2019 14:56

I think the long extension is coming, you'll be ok.

Mistigri · 29/03/2019 17:04

If you want to make sure you have no hassles:

  • Make sure that your passport was issued less than 9 years and 6 months ago (doesn't matter what the expiry date says: it's the issue date that matters)
  • Make sure your insurer provides full health cover from Brexit day.
  • Don't take your pet

Allow extra time for customs, and don't bring back foods or more than your duty free limits of alcohol or tobacco.

Mistigri · 29/03/2019 17:06

And if you plan to drive, get an international driving licence before you go.

BlitheringIdiots · 29/03/2019 17:14

I'm taking extra pants and some money. Extended holiday over Easter weekend. Bring it on.

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